Devices for maintaining patency of surgically created channels in tissue
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An implant delivery system for locating and placing the implant within an opening in tissue, the delivery system comprising:
- an elongate shaft having a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen extending through the proximal end;
a balloon member having an interior in fluid communication with the lumen, the balloon member located on the distal portion of the elongate shaft;
a guide member located at the distal end of the elongate shaft and located distal to the balloon member, where the guide member has a blunt front surface, such that it may tactilely locate the opening and not drag on tissue or cause trauma and at least one resistance feature, such that when the guide member enters the opening, the resistance feature exerts resistance against tissue upon removal of the guide member from the opening; and
an expandable implant located over the balloon member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods for altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of an individual, particularly individuals having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The methods and devices create channels in lung tissue and maintain the patency of these surgically created channels in tissue. Maintaining the patency of the channels allows air to pass directly out of the lung tissue which facilitates the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and/or decompresses hyper-inflated lungs.
362 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An implant delivery system for locating and placing the implant within an opening in tissue, the delivery system comprising:
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an elongate shaft having a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen extending through the proximal end; a balloon member having an interior in fluid communication with the lumen, the balloon member located on the distal portion of the elongate shaft; a guide member located at the distal end of the elongate shaft and located distal to the balloon member, where the guide member has a blunt front surface, such that it may tactilely locate the opening and not drag on tissue or cause trauma and at least one resistance feature, such that when the guide member enters the opening, the resistance feature exerts resistance against tissue upon removal of the guide member from the opening; and an expandable implant located over the balloon member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for locating and placing an implant within a hole in an airway wall, the method comprising:
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locating the hole with a balloon catheter by probing the airway wall with a guide body located at a distal end of the balloon catheter and located distal to a balloon member of the balloon catheter, where the guide body has an atraumatic front surface to locate the hole without dragging on the airway tissue; inserting the guide body into the hole, where the guide body includes a resistance feature located proximal to the atraumatic front surface; temporarily anchoring the balloon catheter in the hole using the resistance feature of the guide body; and expanding the hole in the airway wall with the balloon catheter. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification